COVID-19 Vaccination Induces Cross-Reactive Dengue Antibodies with Altered Isotype Profiles and In Vitro ADE

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Dengue virus causes mild to severe hemorrhagic fever.
• Antibodies can enhance dengue infection via antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
• SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (anti-S) can cross-react with dengue envelope proteins (anti-E).

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the antibody profile of cross-reactive antibodies.
• Assess the potential of these antibodies to induce ADE.
• Compare ADE induction between COVID-19 vaccination and dengue infection.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed antibody profiles (IgM/A vs. IgG subclasses) in vaccinated and infected individuals.
• Assessed in vitro ADE induction by cross-reactive antibodies.
• Investigated the role of the complement system in ADE inhibition.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 vaccinated individuals showed IgM/A-dominated anti-E antibodies.
• Vaccine-induced anti-E IgG antibodies were of low affinity (IgG2/4).
• These antibodies induced stronger in vitro ADE than those from dengue-infected patients.
• Complement system inhibited ADE in dengue-infected individuals but not in vaccinated ones.

Conclusions:

• Cross-reactive antibodies from COVID-19 vaccination exhibit a higher ADE potential.
• This enhanced ADE may be linked to differences in antibody subclasses and complement activity.
• Findings highlight a potential risk for ADE in dengue-endemic areas among vaccinated populations.